CANTERBURY WINS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 98, 19 January 1940, Page 11

CANTERBURY WINS

Wellington Beaten In Idle Along Contest

A TECHNICAL ERROR

Wellington lost the New Zealand .Idle Along championship because oi a technical error in a resail against Canterbury yesterday afternoon. Wellington was first across the line by 2min. 20sec., but failed to give way to Canterbury when rounding Fraser Rock the lirst time. No protest was entered by the Canterbury crew, but the judges in a launch saw the Canterbury mainsail strike the Wellington mainsail, as the two boats rounded the mark together, and after a long discussion the sailing committee for the contest disqualified the Wellington boat.

Tlie morning race was won by Canterbury, but Wellington was still one point ahead under Hie system used lo decide Hie contest, and Canterbury had the right to challenge. The afternoon race was between Hie two boats.

At 3.45 p.m., wlien tlie race started, Wellington was away to a perfect start, with Canterbury close behind. On Hie lead across to Fraser Rock Canterbury made up the little ground she lost at the start ami Hie two boats were together when they rounded Hie mark. According to Hie rules of Hie contest the outside boat had to give room at the mark. Canterbury was inside and did not call for room as she gybed. Her mainsail struck Wellington’s nmiusail, but the Canterbury crew carried on without Hying a protest Hag. On the run down to the mid-harbour mark Canterbury went into the lead with Wellington close behind. At the midharbour mark Canterbury was first round, with Wellington 5 seconds later. Beating back to the end of the lirst Inp Canterbury and Wellington both put about after a short board and Canterbury was still aheail when Hie two yachts split tacks. When about two-thirds of Hie leg bad been completed Canterbury put about, apparently having difficulty in picking up the mark. Wellington carried on, and the southern boat overlaid the mark badly. "Wellington went into the lead, laid the mark nicely, and rounded lmin.lsscc. ahead of Canterbury. From then on the Wellington boat maintained her lead and wits never headed.

The finishing times were: — Wellington, 4.59.10

Canterbury, 5.1.30 - After the race'was finished the Canterbury’ crew congratulated AVelllngton on its win and spectators on shore cheered the Wellington crew for winning the contest. It was not till the sailing committee met after the contest that those on shore realized that the result of the race was still in doubt. After a meeting lasting about an hour the committee adjourned till after dinner, when it met again, heard the evidence of Hie two skippers, and decided to disqualify Hie Wellington boat. 1 The morning race started at 11.27. Wellington went into the lend during the first lap, and had 2min. -lOsec. on Bay of Plenty when the round was completed. Nelson was in third place. The wind dropped during the second round and Wellington, together with a bunch of the other competitors, kept well out in the harbour toward Somes Island. Canterbury rounded the mark sixth, and picked up a westerly wind which carried her up to the windward mark, well to weather of the competitors. She hgd gained Gmin. on AVellington when tlm windward mark was reached, roiinding first. South Auckland picked up Hie same breeze as Canterbury and finished strongly in fourth place. Finishing times and placings were:— Canterbury, 1.19.57 . j Wellington, 1.20.18 2 Bnv of Plenty, 1.23.45 South Auckland, 1.28.13, 4; Wnnganui, 1.29.51, 5; South Canterbury, 1.29.55. 6; West Coast. 1.30.22, 7; Marlborough. 1.31.40, S; Nelson, 1.33.10. 9; Hawke’s Bay, 1.35.0, 10. Otago did not finish.

CORNWELL CUP

Contest Still Very Open With Wanganui with two wins, Auckland wilh two, Wellington with one, Christchurch with one, and Otago wilh one, Ibe Cornwell Cup contest is still very open. Two races were held-yester-day, the morning one being won by Christchurch, and the afternoon by Otago, The afternoon race was most unusual. Lyttelton being well in Ihe lead during (he second round, when the wind changed from northerly to southerly, and brought the tail-endei-s right up to the leaders. Lyttelton lost its lead healing back Io the linishing line and gained otilv third place, equal with Wanganui. Auckland was second. A change in the wind from northerly to southerly gave Olago a win in the sixth race for ihe Cornwell Cup, which was sailed in Evans Bay yesterday afternoon over a windward and leeward course. Tlie race started from the Evans Bay clubhouse, and the leeward murk way Point Jerningham. The course was sailed twice. The morning race was won by Christchurch. Auckland established a handy lead from Wanganui during tlie first round, with Lyttelton in third place. Beating up io the windward mark Lyttelton went into Ihe lead, wilh 'Wanganui second ami Auckland third. Nearing Point .lerninglmm the tail-end of the fleet picked up a southerly wind, which carried them right up to the leaders. Lyttelton rounded the murk first, but most of (lie other compeli lorS were close. Beating K-ick to Ihe linishing line Otago went into Ihe lead, followed by Auckland, Wanganui. and Lyttelton. The tinis-hing places for the first seven boats were:-— Otago 1 Auckland 2 Wanganui ami Lyttelton, equal ■■■■ 3 .Hamilton, 5; Wellington, 6: Christchurch. 7. The morning race was won by Christchurch by 10 seconds from Auckland, after a keen race. Christchurch took the lead soon after the start, and sailed a great race throughout, though they were challenged by Auckland on several occasions. Tlie race started at 10.5 a.m. Finishing times were:— Christchurch. T1.3i1.45 ■' 1 Auckland, 11.30.55 2 Lyttelton. 11.33.23 - 3 Plim-merlmt. 11.33.30, 4: Otago, 11.35.19, 5; Wanganui. 11.36.24, (1; Hamilton, 11.37.31. 7; Wellington. 11.38.29, 8: M.-imikati. 11.38.51. 9; Tiimum. 11.39.10, IO; Parenmta. 11.41.35, I I ; Taitrang-a, 11.43.8. 12.